The Nature Page

The Knapdale-Kintyre land mass projects south-south-westwards from the mainland of Argyll, forming a barrier between the Atlantic, and Loch Fyne - Firth of Clyde. It is about fifty miles long and varies in width from 6 to 14 miles. The land rises from sea level fairly steeply to a spine of hills of no regular pattern; the highest being about 1,500 feet. The bulk of the drainage runs eastward with the burns, occupying valleys of pre-glacial origin. The soil and vegetation are variable. The bulk of the interior is peat covered over quartzose mica schist, though running almost the whole length of the peninsula is a narrow band of metamorphic limestone, and an adjacent narrow band of greenbeds, which gives rise to better quality grazing than the acid schists. In Knapdale, the land tends to be poor as opposed to Kintyre where there are substantial arable areas which increase to the south, particularly on the alluvium, and Old Red Sandstone in the neighbourhood of Campbeltown. The climate along the coast is extremely mild, and the east coast is so sheltered that many exotic plants can be grown.

The variety of topography, vegetation and soil is matched by a variety of bird and animal life which make the fullest use of this varied habitat. Outstanding among the animals is that most elusive and elegant of mammals, the deer. Within Kintyre, four species are to be found. The small Roe Deer and the large Red Deer are native to the locality. Roe are present in moderate numbers throughout the area but prefer the sparse scrub woodlands of the glens, straths and gulleys, as well as the newly formed conifer plantations of the Forestry Commission. Red Deer are decidedly uncommon, and may not number more than ten beasts in all, and they are wandering stags. Intermediate in sizez between the Roe and the Red are two introduced, or feral, species, the Fallow, and the Japanese Sika.

An interesting story is provided by the latter species which was introduced into the Carradale Estate, by Major Austin MacKenzie from a herd he owned near Marlow, in 1893. Our worthy Hon. President, Mr. Duncan Colville, has recorded that he was present on the S.S. Davaar when he saw six animals being off-loaded, apparently two stags and four hinds, on to Carradale pier. They were held, together with some Fallow Deer, in a compound on Carradale Point until the 1914-18 War, when the fence fell into disrepair and they made their way out into the neighbouring woodland of the fertile Carra Valley. At that time there was thought to be about twenty representatives of each species. Since then, the Fallow have remained in the "Deer Park" locality, immediately to the north of Carradale, without any change in population. In the past two years there have been reports of a buck having been seen in Rhunahaorine Wood near Tayinloan.

The Sika population increased in the most dramatic manner until, by the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939, they had spread throughout the peninsula to number over 400 animals, and on into Knapdale. Currently, they are to be seen in Awe district, and Cowal. An accurate estimate of the total population would be difficult, but it must exceed the 1,000 level and constitutes one of the largest - if not the largest - group in the Kingdom.

The Japanese Sika Deer was first introduced into Britain in the mid-nineteenth century to a few deer parks, from which there were escapes to form feral colonies. They are now to be found principally in the Lake District, Dorset, the New Forest, Peebles, and Inverness. Their natural home, as with all deer, is wooded country with thick cover, but they may be seen feeding along the margins of woodlands at dusk. In areas such as Kintyre, where where woodland is sparse, they live in small numbers on the open hill, particularly to the north of Campbeltown and south of Glenbarr; and in the Skipness area. Numbers in the Mull locality south of Campbeltown are low, perhaps not exceeding 50 animals.

The first indication of the presence of deer in an area, is probably given by their tracks and droppings, both of which have characteristics common to the species. It is beyond the scope of this note to describe them in detail, but interested readers can consult one of the references given at the end. Voice too is characteristic, although deer are normally silent animals, this being a feature of the rutting season when the stag makes a whistle, rising to a crescendo and declining down-scale to a concluding grunt, usually uttered three to four times in rapid succession. When in season, Sika hinds have a special bleat, rather plaintive and subdued.

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